Dr. John R. Sanders

Tupelo - Dr. John R. Sanders, 66, died Saturday, September 29, 2012 from Alzheimer's Disease. He was at home surrounded by family and loved ones. He was born in Greenwood on October 8, 1945 to Curren Johnston and Almadora Cotton Sanders. Johnny attended Mississippi State University on a track scholarship where he set an SEC record in pole vaulting. Beginning in college, and continuing throughout his life, Johnny recorded several albums and toured the country as a member of the 60's garage band, The Gants. Dr. Sanders graduated from the University of Mississippi Medical Center, achieving membership in the AOA Honorary Medical Society and Board Certification in Obstetrics and Gynecology. After medical school, he served in the United States Air Force, prior to founding Sanders Clinic for Women in Tupelo. He was a member of First United Methodist Church. Honoring his life long quest for knowledge, his brain has been donated to the Harvard/McLean Brain Bank in Massachusetts for advancement in research of early onset Alzheimer's Disease. Services will be 4 p.m. Tuesday, October 2, 2012 at First United Methodist Church with Rev. Jim Curtis and Johnny's nephew, Father Patrick Sanders officiating. W. E. Pegues Funeral Directors is in charge of the arrangements. Survivors include his wife of forty-seven years, Cindy Ross Sanders; three children, John R. Sanders, Jr. (Joan), Wendy Sanders Hutson (Kirby) and Taylor Sanders (Amanda); eight grandchildren, Sadler, Evans and Jack Sanders, Meri Weller, Sanders and Bishop Hutson and Carter and Catherine Sanders all of Tupelo; two brothers, Dr. C.J. Sanders (Gwen) of Tupelo and Ronnie Sanders (Sheila) of Greenwood. Visitation will be 5 - 8 p.m. Monday, October 1, 2012 in Wesley Hall at First United Methodist Church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made for further research to the Alzheimer's Association: MS Chapter, 196 Charmant Place, Ste 4, Ridgeland, MS 39157, in memory of Dr. John R. Sanders.